JP2021032410A - Lubricant measurement assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a lubricant measurement assembly capable of being used in a linear guide, and preferably easily assembled.SOLUTION: A lubricant measurement assembly (1) for measuring an amount of a lubricant is provided. The lubricant measurement assembly (1) includes a tubular measurement insert (2) constituted to measure a specified amount of lubricant, and the measurement insert (2) includes inlets (6, 6') fluidically connectable with a lubricant source, and outlets (12, 12'). A housing (4) allowing the measurement insert (2) to be inserted thereto is disposed, and the housing (4) is provided with housing outlets (16, 16', 16") formed in a radial direction of the measurement insert (2). The housing outlets (16, 16', 16") interact with the outlets (12, 12") of the measurement insert (2) to distribute the specified amount of lubricant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a lubricant weighing assembly for measuring the amount of lubricant according to the preamble of claim 1. The present invention further relates to a linear guide that includes a lubricant supply element and a lubricant metering assembly.

Lubricant weighers or lubricant distributors are known in the art and are often used as part of a central lubricant, through which a lubricant is delivered from the central lubricant source to at least one lubricant consumer. Be delivered. Here, the lubricant metering device typically includes a lubricant source, particularly a lubricant inlet connected to a lubricant pump, which delivers the lubricant sequentially or continuously to the lubricant metering device. In addition, the lubricant metering device typically includes a control piston designed to direct the lubricant from the lubricant inlet to the metering chamber of the metering piston, from which the amount of lubricant available in the metering chamber is delivered to the lubricant outlet. After that, it is sent to the equipment that consumes the lubricant. For this purpose, a lubricant outlet is provided axially along the piston extension of the lubricant meter, which can be connected to consumer equipment.

However, in the lubricant measuring device known from the prior art, it is disadvantageous that the lubricant outlet is provided in the lubricant measuring device in the axial direction, thereby predetermining the installation position of such a lubricant measuring device. Is. Therefore, known lubricant weighing devices can only be installed in specific locations and require a lot of space, especially in the axial direction. Therefore, they are usually installed away from their respective consumer devices. However, remote placement of such a lubricant metering device is not practical, especially for linear guides that include a lubricated movable guide carriage.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lubricant weighing assembly that can be used at any point in consumer equipment, especially linear guides, and is preferably easily incorporated.

This object is achieved by the lubricant weighing assembly for measuring the amount of lubricant according to claim 1 and the linear guide according to claim 7.

In the following, a lubricant weighing assembly is proposed that includes a tubular weighing insert configured to weigh a specified amount of lubricant, the weighing insert having a fluid-bondable inlet and outlet to the lubricant source. In addition, the lubricant weighing assembly includes a housing into which a weighing insert can be inserted. The weighing insert itself can include a weighing piston in particular, and the default piston stroke of the weighing piston weighs a specified amount of lubricant. The housing can also be formed from a suitable material such as metal or plastic.

Lubricant To increase variability during assembly and installation of the weighing assembly, a housing outlet is formed in the radial housing of the weighing insert, and the housing outlet interacts with the outlet of the weighing insert to provide a specified amount of lubricant. Distribute.

Since the housing outlet is formed in the radial direction on the housing, the position of the housing outlet can be set as needed, and the lubricant is supplied only with the help of a lubricant source that has been located far away. Even consumer equipment that could not be equipped with a lubricant weighing assembly can be installed. In particular, the radial installation of the housing outlet can reduce the axial installation space requirement of the lubricant weighing assembly.

As a further aspect of the invention shows, due to the reduced axial installation space requirements, lubricant weighing assemblies can be used with linear guides that include lubricant supply elements, linear guides and / or guide carriages and / or lubricants. It has the advantage that it can be installed directly on the supply element. In this respect, the lubricant weighing assembly can be a lubricant weighing assembly for linear guides.

In particular, one exemplary embodiment is advantageous in which the housing of the lubricant weighing assembly is directly configured as a guide carriage or a lubricant feed element or part of a guide carriage or part of a lubricant feed element. It also reduces installation space requirements in the radial as well as in the axial direction, further facilitating integration into guide carriages or lubricant supply elements.

For this purpose, for example, the guide carriage or lubricant supply element into which the weighing insert can be inserted may be provided with bores and / or recesses. Manufacturing is simplified because all installation location-specific and / or lubricant supply-specific holes in the housing can be created advantageously. For example, the housing outlet can join directly into the lubricant supply channel formed in the lubricant supply element of the linear guide.

This can advantageously achieve that the lubricant is delivered directly to one or more raceway grooves of the guide carriage of the linear guide. For lubricant weighing devices with axial distribution, this is only achieved over a long axial length of the guide carriage to provide ample space for the corresponding bore. Moreover, it is only possible through complex bores rather than straight lines.

The housing and / or weighing insert can preferably be configured such that an annular space remains in the radial direction of the weighing insert between the weighing insert and the housing, the annular space being configured as a distribution chamber and the housing outlet. , Fluidly connected to the distribution chamber, i.e., the annular space. The annular space has the advantage that the housing outlet only needs to open into the annular space in order to fluidly connect the housing outlet to the outlet. As a result, the housing outlet can be located at any position along the axial and / or radial points of the annular space.

The housing outlet can be provided at any position in the circumferential direction of the weighing insert and does not need to be oriented to correspond to the housing outlet. That is, the housing outlet can be provided in the housing in a manner corresponding to each lubrication situation, and then the weighing insert can be inserted into the housing without having to adjust the correct position or angle orientation of the weighing element.

Further, by forming the housing outlet in the housing, the weighing insert can be configured rotationally symmetrically, for example, in case of a defect, the weighing insert can be replaced as needed. That is, each weighing insert can be similarly mass-produced, easily inserted into the housing, and important elements in all positions and orientations are provided in the housing.

Further, the weighing insert can be inserted into the housing independently of its rotation about its longitudinal axis. Of course, one weighing insert may be provided with a plurality of housing outlets.

Designs that include an annular space are particularly advantageous for insertion of linear guides into the lubricant supply element, which allows the weighing insert to be inserted into the bore regardless of the particular orientation and into the channel where the lubricant is arbitrarily placed. This is because it is supplied. To form the annular space, the bore of the housing can advantageously be configured as a stepped bore. The stepped bore is easy to manufacture and at the same time allows axial positioning of the weighing insert.

Alternatively or additionally, the axial extension of the annular space or the annular space itself is limited by the first and second limiting factors, the first and second limiting elements on the housing and / or the weighing insert. Is formed in. This can prevent unwanted loss of lubricant from the distribution chamber. For example, the first and second limiting elements are protrusions, especially in the stepped bore, which are formed on the housing and / or the weighing insert. In addition, the first and second limiting factors are suitable for fluidly sealing the distribution chamber.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, at least one of the limiting elements is a sealing element. The sealing element can be, for example, an O-ring placed around the weighing insert. Sealing elements can be provided on weighing inserts and / or housing grooves and / or receptacles. Such grooves or receptacles also help fix the position of the sealing element when inserting the weighing insert into the housing.

According to a more preferred exemplary embodiment, a plurality of weighing inserts are arranged within the housing. Here, one or more housing outlets can be formed in the housing of each weighing insert, and one or more housing outlets interact with each outlet to distribute the respective amount of lubricant. This has the advantage that the lubricant weighing assembly can provide individually adjustable amounts of lubricant to each raceway groove in the guide carriage, depending on the use case in the guide carriage. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a measuring element in each raceway groove of the guide carriage. Here, each of the plurality of weighing inserts can be configured to distribute different amounts of lubricant.

In addition, it is advantageous that each housing outlet of the lubricant supply assembly be connected to one or more lubricant supply channels for one or more raceway grooves in the guide carriage of the linear guide. Alternatively, multiple housing outlets can be associated with a single weighing insert. The metering element can thereby distribute the lubricant to multiple lubricant supply channels. Depending on the available installation space, multiple weighing inserts themselves can be placed adjacent to each other, offset up or down, or offset.

The plurality of weighing inserts are preferably fluidly connectable to a common lubricant source, particularly the lubricant main line. This has the advantage that only one connection for lubricating the lubricant needs to be provided in the lubricant weighing assembly, which allows the lubricant weighing assembly to be designed more compactly.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the inlets of the weighing inserts are arranged in the radial and / or axial direction of the weighing inserts. This, on the one hand, provides greater flexibility in the mounting position of the weighing insert and, on the other hand, allows for a more compact design of the lubricant weighing assembly.

In addition, mounting elements configured to prevent radial and / or axial movement of the weighing insert within the housing can be provided. Undesirable movement of the weighing insert can be prevented, which allows the use of lubricant weighing assemblies, especially in the dynamically movable guide carriage of linear guides. The mounting element can be, for example, an elastically deformable clamp ring that is accepted into the groove. The mounting element can also be a screw or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing element can provide axial mounting via frictional connections.

The axial length of the weighing insert is preferably less than 50 mm, more preferably less than 40 mm. These dimensions allow the lubricant weighing assembly to be easily attached to or incorporated into the lubricant supply element of the guide carriage or linear guide.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the weighing insert can be coupled to a control device configured to control and monitor the weighing insert. For example, the control device can be connected to a corresponding sensor configured to monitor the amount of lubricant delivered to and / or distributed from the weighing insert. As a result, the weighing insert can be accurately controlled and adjusted. In particular, control and / or monitoring can be done via control lines and / or radio signal transmission. Wireless signal transmission also has the advantage that the required space can be further reduced because it is not necessary to lay a control line inside or above the guide carriage.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are specified in the description, drawings, and claims. In particular, the combination of features specified in the description and drawings is purely exemplary here, and the features can be combined individually or in other ways.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings. Here, the exemplary embodiments and the combinations shown in the exemplary embodiments are purely exemplary and are not intended to define the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined only by the pending claims.

A cross-sectional view of a lubricant weighing assembly according to an embodiment is shown. Some of the lubricant supply elements of the linear guide, including the lubricant metering assembly according to a further embodiment, are shown.

In the following, the same or functionally equivalent elements are indicated by the same reference number.

FIG. 1 shows, for example, a cross-sectional view of a lubricant metering assembly 1 configured to meter the amount of lubricant in a linear guide (not shown). The lubricant weighing assembly 1 comprises a weighing insert 2 and a housing 4 that can be formed from a suitable material such as metal or plastic. Here, the weighing insert 2 is inserted into the bore or recess of the housing 4. As shown, the bore can be, for example, a stepped bore into which the weighing insert 2 can be pushed.

The weighing insert 2 has a tubular shape and is configured to weigh a specified amount of lubricant. Further, the axial length L of the weighing insert 2 can be less than 50 mm. In addition, the metering insert comprises an inlet 6 that is fluidly coupled to a lubricant source (not shown) via a seal element 8 such as a pinch valve. As shown in FIG. 1, the inlet 6 of the weighing insert 2 can be arranged in the axial direction 7 of the weighing insert 2. Alternatively, the inlet 6'(indicated by the dashed line) can be placed in the radial direction 9 of the weighing insert or extended diagonally.

The metering insert 2 further includes a metering piston 10, and a defined piston stroke of the metering piston 10 weighs a defined amount of lubricant and supplies it to at least one outlet 12, 12'of the metering insert 2. The outlets 12 and 12'are fluidly connected to the annular space 14, which together with the housing 4 form a distribution chamber for the weighing element when the weighing insert 2 is inserted into the housing 4. Next, the weighed lubricant can be delivered from the annular space 14 via the housing outlet 16 formed in the housing 4 in the radial direction of the weighing insert 2. As shown, the annular space allows the outlet to be located at any point in the radial direction, which greatly reduces the installation space requirement of the lubricant weighing assembly 1. This allows the total length L of the lubricant supply element to be less than 50 mm.

Since the distribution chamber is formed in the shape of the annular space 14, the lubricant can be spread over the entire annular space 14, and the radial housing outlet 16 provided in the housing 4 is a simple method for the weighing insert 2. It can be fluidly connected to outlets 12 and 12'. Thereby, it is possible to provide the housing outlet 16 in the housing 4 at another place. For example, the housing outlet 16'or 16'(shown by the dashed line) can be provided circumferentially around the weighing insert 2 at any desired position. By forming the housing outlet 16 in the housing 4. For example, in the case of a defect, the weighing insert 2 can be easily replaced. For example, the assembly aid is omitted because the weighing insert 2 does not need to be aligned with respect to rotation about its longitudinal axis. This simplifies the mounting of the weighing insert 2. Of course, not only is the weighing insert 2 provided with a single housing outlet 16, the weighing insert 2 provides, for example, a plurality of lubricant supply channels. It is also possible to provide a plurality of housing outlets 16, 16', 16 "in parallel on the weighing insert 2 so that the weighing insert 2 can be provided.

The fluid space of the annular space 14 limited by the extension L _A of the axial direction, in order to prevent loss of lubricant, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the first and second limiting elements are sealing rings 18, 20 It is provided in the form of. The seal rings 18 and 20 are formed on the weighing insert 2, but may be additionally or optionally provided on the housing 4. Of course, the first and second limiting elements can also be realized by protrusions formed on the housing 4 or the weighing insert 2. In order to facilitate the insertion of the weighing insert 2, the seal elements 18 and 20 are fixed in the groove so as not to move the seal elements 18 and 20 during the insertion, or the seal element 18 is fixed by other means such as an adhesive. 20 can be fixed. When the weighing insert 2 is inserted into, for example, a stepped bore, it is possible to prevent the seal elements 18 and 20 from moving during the insertion.

In order to prevent the movement of the weighing insert 2, for example, when the lubricant weighing assembly is mounted on the guide carriage of the linear guide, a mounting element 22 is provided to prevent the movement of the weighing insert 2 in the housing 4 in the axial direction. In addition, or as an alternative, a mounting element 22 may be provided to prevent the metering insert 2 from moving in the housing 4 in the radial direction. The mounting element 22 can be, for example, a tightening ring, a screw, or the like. Sealing elements 18 and 20 can also provide axial and radial mounting via frictional connections.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of a lubricant supply element 24 of a linear guide (not shown) that includes a lubricant metering assembly according to a further embodiment. Here, the body of the lubricant supply element 24 forms the housing 4, into which the four weighing inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are inserted and incorporated into the illustrated exemplary embodiments. Alternatively, the weighing inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d can be inserted into another housing and attached to the lubricant supply element 24. Mounting elements 22 in the form of tightening rings are provided on each weighing insert 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to secure the weighing inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to the lubricant supply element. Further, or as an alternative, the weighing inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d may also be secured via the sealing elements 18, 20.

In addition, one or more housing outlets (not shown) are formed on each of the lubricant supply elements 24 of the plurality of weighing inserts, respectively. The one or more housing outlets interact with the respective outlets of the weighing inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d through the annular space 14 to distribute the respective amounts of lubricant. Here, each housing outlet is connected to or channeled to one or more lubricant supply channels (not shown) of one or more raceway grooves 26, 28, 30, 32 of the lubricant supply element 24. It is configured as.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of weighing inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d can be placed adjacent to each other and / or slightly offset. Alternatively or additionally, multiple weighing inserts can be placed vertically or in a plane. The placement of the weighing inserts can be selected based on the available space and / or the location and placement of the housing outlets 16, 16', 16 "and / or the lubricant supply channels.

To supply lubricant to the respective inlets of the metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, the plurality of metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d fluidly to a common lubricant source, such as a lubricant reservoir. It is combined. Alternatively, a common lubricant main line 34 may be provided. Further, a control and / or monitoring line 36 for connecting the respective weighing inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to the control device 38 can be provided, and the control device 38 connects the respective weighing inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. It is configured to send signals for control and / or monitoring. Alternatively or additionally, the signal transmission can be done wirelessly, which further reduces the installation space required.

In summary, a lubricant weighing assembly 1 is provided that has high variability in terms of installability. This variability is achieved by providing radial housing outlets and housing inlets for lubricants that require little installation space. Particularly advantageous, the annular space 14 is formed between the housing 4 and the weighing insert 2, and the annular space 14 interacts with the housing outlets 16, 16', 16 "formed in the housing 4. Since it is not necessary to align the outlets 12, 12'and the housing outlets 16, 16', 16 "to each other, the variability can be further increased. It can be easily assembled and maintained.

As described, the lubricant weighing assembly can be used particularly favorably with linear guides, as the advantages of the present invention are particularly relevant. However, the advantages of the present invention are also advantageous for other applications, so that the lubricant weighing assembly is suitable for direct mounting to lubrication points, such as bearing housings. In addition, the lubricant weighing assembly is suitable for direct mounting of electric motors to housings and for use in the fields of automation, handling and transportation technology. Especially in the latter application, it is very important that the installation space is small and lightweight. Further applications include the field of machine tools such as drive pindles, injection molding machines such as lever clamps for tools, and generally all dynamic applications such as tool tables, handling systems and automation systems. The applications mentioned should be understood as merely examples, and more potential uses are found.

Lubricant Weighing Assembly 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Weighing Insert 4 Housing 6, 6'Inlet 7 Axial 8 Sealing Element 9 Radial 10 Weighing Piston 12, 12'Outlet 14 Circular Space (Distribution Chamber)
16, 16', 16 "Housing outlet 18, 20 Sealing element 22 Mounting element 24 Lubricant supply element 26, 28, 30, 32 Raceway groove 34 Lubricant main line 36 Control line 38 Control device LA Axial of annular space Overall length of stretch L weighing insert

Claims (10)

A lubricant weighing assembly (1) for measuring the amount of lubricant, wherein the lubricant weighing assembly (1) is a lubricant weighing assembly (1).
A tubular weighing insert (2) configured to weigh a specified amount of lubricant with fluidly connectable inlets (6, 6') and outlets (12, 12 ") to the lubricant source. Weighing insert (2) to be provided
A housing (4) into which the weighing insert (2) can be inserted,
Including
A housing outlet (16, 16', 16 ") is formed in the housing (4) in the radial direction of the weighing insert (2), and the housing outlet (16, 16') is used to distribute the specified amount of lubricant. , 16 ″) interacts with the outlet (12, 12 ′) of the weighing insert (2), the lubricant weighing assembly (1). The housing (4) and / or the weighing insert (2) so that an annular space (14) is formed between the weighing insert (2) and the housing (4) in the radial direction of the weighing insert (2). , The annular space (14) forms a distribution chamber for the lubricant weighing assembly, and the housing outlets (16, 16', 16 ") are fluidly connected to the annular space (14). The lubricant weighing assembly (1) according to claim 1. The axial extension (LA) of the annular space is limited by at least one first limiting element (18) and one second limiting element (20), and the at least one first and second limiting element ( 18, 20) is the lubricant weighing assembly (1) of claim 2, which is formed in the housing (4) and / or the weighing insert (2). The lubricant weighing assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein at least one limiting element (18, 20) is a sealing element. The lubricant weighing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of weighing inserts (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are arranged in the housing (4). Any one of claims 1-5, wherein a mounting element (22) configured to prevent radial and / or axial movement of the weighing insert (2) in the housing (4) is provided. (1). A linear guide comprising a lubricant supply element (24) and a lubricant weighing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1-6. The linear guide according to claim 7, wherein the housing of the lubricant metering assembly is formed by the lubricant supply element (24). A recess, particularly a stepped hole, is provided in the lubricant supply element (24) so that the weighing insert (2) can be inserted into the recess, where the annular space (14) is the weighing insert. It is configured to be formed between the metering insert (2) and the lubricant supply element (24) in the radial direction of (2), the annular space (14) for the lubricant metering assembly (1). 8. The linear guide according to claim 8, which forms a distribution chamber of the above. One or more lubricant supply channels are provided on the lubricant supply element (24), which guides the lubricant to the lubrication point of the lubricant supply element (24) and the lubricant supply channel. The linear guide according to claim 9, wherein is fluidly connected to the annular space (14).

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